Dupage Policy Journal

The Wheaton City Council recently enacted an ordinance that places limits on garage sales, defined as sales, bartering, trading or giveaways conducted outdoors or partially outdoors.

The ordinance prohibits residents from operating a garage sale at a single address before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., on more than two consecutive days, more than two times in a calendar year or on a public right-of-way.

Additionally, the ordinance establishes rules for the number and types of advertising signs permitted. Residents may display one sign, 3 square feet or less, on their lawns. Residents can post no more than two signs, each 3 square feet or less, at nearby locations to direct people to the sale, but they must be on private property and not in the public right of way. Residents must receive permission from property owners to post these directional signs.Residents may put out garage-sale signs no more than two days before the sale, and they mustremove all signs on the final day of the sale.

Violating any terms of the new ordinance can result in a minimum fine of $100.

The ordinance, passed by city council on Oct. 19, will help maintain the character of residential neighbors.